Hi my friends, I hope you all had a wonderful 4th! It was a very sad day here today in Bangor, Maine! We had a shooter that fired 70 rounds out a window, trying to copy the Boston Marathon tragedy. This happened in the mist of our 4th of July parade. The shooting began just one block from where I stood. They rerouted the parade because of this, and this is when it happened… A fire truck ran in to the back of an antique tractor in the parade, the man on the tractor went flying in the air and landed on the ground where he was run over and crushed to death in front of us. It was awful! There were children present who witnessed it all. I am so very, very, sad for this man and his family. I will never forget the stunned and horrified look on the fireman who accidentally struck him or the tear stained faces of the children. I feel sick inside. If not for the shooter, the parade would never have taken this route. Love and cherish those you love! Hold on to them tight as we know not what tomorrow brings our way! I need to end this nightmare of a day, so good night all, thanks for listening and don’t forget what I said. Hold them tight! Hugs, Leanne
Dear Lord, Leanne - this is unthinkable. What an insane tragedy, and right in front of you. I'm sure this has to be extremely hard for you, so please take extra care of yourself...
Hugs and Prayers to you, and everyone involved-
Renie♥
Leanne,
Wow, I was really hoping this was a bad joke! What a day you’ve had! I just looked this up and I had to do a little digging to find the info about the man who died in the parade because the article about the shooting neglected to mention the consequences of having to block off some streets, I guess because no one was directly killed in the shooting but idk. But it’s such a sad story and my heart aches for all involved including the spectators and the driver of the fire truck. I hope they charge the shooter with something because if it weren’t for him the accident probably wouldn’t have happened (((hugs)))
Leanne … My heart goes out to everyone in the community, the man’s family, the firefighter who was driving the truck, the person who was driving the vehicle which ran him over and all the witnesses young and old alike. I’m sure there will be lots of nightmare’s tonight. I’m so glad that the shooter was not successful.
It will take you some time to get over what you witnessed and if you need it please seek professional help, I witnessed a shooting/suicide just over 35 years ago and those few minutes are still vivid.
Please look after yourself, stay warm and comfortable, treat yourself well and hold the ones you love tight.
Gentle hugs
My dear friend Leanne,
Forgive me for taking so long to respond to you about this. I have been nose to the grindstone trying to get my house back in order after having the upstairs torn up for what seems like years, all starting with a roof leak that just kept spreading through the upstairs, it took forever for them to figure out what was happening and causing it, that lead to a new roof on that section of the house, that was completed just 2 days before hurricane Sandy ripped through here. From there it was tear down walls, new electric, new electric in the basement, new insulation, new dry wall, paint, new walk in closet configuration, stripping and sanding and finishing floors... Of course you realize that this has affected the entire house! Every single thing has drywall dust, and wood dust on and through it.
The carpenters are 95% finished, so my grandson has been here a week with me, we are trying to get these rooms back together. My grandson has also been helping Pap build stairs to our side deck, this has been the highlight of his stay. Now he wants to learn to build the actual deck! He is 10, he has his own room here that was affected by this mess! This is why I haven't been around, and why you have not heard from me sooner.
I would now like to tell you how deeply sorry I am that you and all of my fellow countrymen have had to endure yet another act of senseless violence upon the innocents. I simply do not understand the mindset behind this. My heart goes out to each and every one of you, and I most sincerely hope that your hearts and minds can heal from this.
You are so right, everyone of us need to embrace each day we have with our loved ones, for we know not what tomorrow brings! As JT sings, "shower the people you love with love, tell them the way that you feel"!
Sending love and hugs,
SK
Thank you for your kind words SK! I am actually leaving for camp tomorrow for a few days. I think spending some time on the lake will help clear my head. I love to sit on the dock, close my eyes and just listen to nature. It is also our 25th wedding anniversary on tuesday, so we will be spending time reflecting on the past 25 yrs of love, laughter, and good times.
Good Lord, I guess you have been busy!!! It will be nice when all finished! Don’t work to hard! Will be in touch upon my return. Hugs, Leanne
Thank you to all who commented. I am fine. I just couldn’t stop thinking about this poor man and his family, and also the firemen driving the truck. I wondered what they had planned for the day and how quickly things change in a a instant. And then the children, I just couldn’t get the looks on their little innocent faces. I am leaving for camp tomorrow, I think a little time away and a little time reflecting on life in general will be good for me! Hugs… Leanne
What a horrible tragedy! Can’t even imagine the fear and possible long lasting affect on all. Like you said, hug your loved ones because you never know when something terrible can happen.
Please enjoy your camping trip - relax and let others wait on you and bring you s’mores! You’re a real trooper! hugs to you~ Sandi 